Dr Deirdre O'Connor
Dr. Deirdre O'Connor, TILDA's Communications Lead since April 2022, is a dynamic Research Nutritionist and passionate science communicator. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor’s in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, a Master’s in Public Health Nutrition from University College Dublin, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Statistics from Trinity College Dublin. She completed her PhD in Nutritional Epidemiology in April 2024, using TILDA datasets to explore the interactions between plasma folate and vitamin B12 and their impact on cognitive function and brain health. This groundbreaking research, published in leading journals and recognised with awards at international conferences, continues to advance our understanding of nutrition and brain ageing.
Before joining TILDA in 2013, Deirdre made significant contributions as a Consultant Technical Executive at the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, leading the Calories in Menus initiative. She has also collaborated with the HRB Centre for Primary Care Research and the UCD School of Public Health. Her diverse research interests include nutritional status in older populations, diet quality assessment, and the nexus between dietary patterns, obesity, and chronic disease. A Registered Nutritionist with the UK’s Association for Nutrition, Deirdre is dedicated to effectively communicating TILDA's research findings to the general public, continually pushing the boundaries of knowledge in the field.